The Role of Macedonian Police in Modern Society: the Use of Force as a Legitimate and Legal Instrument

Abstract

Police is one of the most important institutions of a country. Operational policing is formally and legally defined in the Law on Police. In performing its tasks police can or is allowed to use means of force. Legal solutions have exactly determined and noted that forceful means are available to the police, but also contain provisions which exactly determine situations during which police forces can and should use exactly those means. Often we have witnessed situations where there is a disproportionate use of force. It is legitimate to ask, whether the misconduct of police officers achieved the goal of solving a particular situation or does it cause a counter effect. Such situations force us to seriously analyze these examples in the country, but also the most common consequences arising i.e. resulting from a police officer`s misconduct. Are there opportunities and ways to use certain experiences of Western countries which will be easier and simpler to be incorporated into Macedonian legislation? Those experiences will primarily refer to raising the level of responsibility and awareness among police officers about situations where they can use means of force.